초록 ▼

In a direct methanol fuel cell, fuel efficiency is maintained by periodically adding a higher methanol concentration mixture through a cartridge into the primary fuel container. The cartridge replenishes methanol and partial water losses due to the consumption of fuel in the power generating process

In a direct methanol fuel cell, fuel efficiency is maintained by periodically adding a higher methanol concentration mixture through a cartridge into the primary fuel container. The cartridge replenishes methanol and partial water losses due to the consumption of fuel in the power generating process. In a typical system, the fuel replenishment mechanism is controlled through an electronic apparatus that monitors the power conversion process and is capable of predicting remaining operating capacity.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. Direct methanol fuel cell apparatus comprising: a fuel container; an anode adjacent the fuel container; a proton exchange membrane adjacent the anode; a cathode adjacent the proton exchange membrane; an oxygen supply adjacent the cathode; the fuel container containing m

The invention claimed is: 1. Direct methanol fuel cell apparatus comprising: a fuel container; an anode adjacent the fuel container; a proton exchange membrane adjacent the anode; a cathode adjacent the proton exchange membrane; an oxygen supply adjacent the cathode; the fuel container containing methanol in water at a first concentration; a cartridge selectively communicatively coupled with the fuel container; the cartridge containing fluid comprising methanol in water at a second concentration, the second concentration higher than the first concentration, wherein the selective communicative coupling comprises a pushing pin by a human user, said pin puncturing the cartridge. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second concentration is at least double the first concentration. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second concentration is at least triple the first concentration. 4. A method for use with a direct methanol fuel cell, the method comprising the steps of: bringing a first solution of methanol in water at a first concentration into contact with an anode, the first solution contained within a container; bringing oxygen into contact with a cathode, the cathode adjacent a proton exchange membrane and the proton exchange membrane adjacent the anode; at a later time, bringing a cartridge into communicative coupling with the container, the volume of the container being greater than the volume of the cartridge, the cartridge containing a second solution of methanol in water at a second concentration, the second concentration higher than the first concentration, wherein the step of bringing the cartridge into communicative coupling with the container comprises a human user pushing a pin, said pin puncturing the cartridge. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second concentration is at least double the first concentration. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second concentration is at least triple the first concentration. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a safety lock serving to prevent inadvertent pushing of the pin. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the pin is movable in relation to the fuel container.